6-fluoromethyl-17-hydroxy-9, 11-dichloroprogesterones and their 17-esters



3 036 098 6-FLUOROMETHYL-liHYbROXY-SLII-DICHLORO- PROGESTERONES AND THEIR 17-ESTERS Albert Bowers and John Edwards, Mexico City, Mexico,

assignors to Syntax S.A., Mexico City, Mexico, a corporation of Mexico No Drawing. Filed Nov. 10, 1960, Ser. No. 68,377

22 Claims. (Cl. 260-397.45)

The present invention relates to novel cyclopent-anophenanthrene compounds and to a novel process for the production thereof.

More particularly the invention relates to novel C-6 monofluoromethyl and 0-6 polyfluoromethyl progestational hormone derivatives and more specifically to 90, 1lfl-dichloro-M-pregnene-S,ZO-diones which may also contain a hydroxy or acyloxy group at C-17oc and/ or at 0-21, a methyl group in a or B steric configuration at 0-16 and further unsaturation at 0-1,2 and/ or at 0-6,7.

The novel compounds of the present invention which are potent progestational agents possessing an unusually high degree of progestational activity when administered orally are represented by the following formulas:

atoms, R represents hydrogen, a-methyl or p-methyl,

R represents the monofiuoromethyl, difiuoromethyl or trifluoromethyl group and Z indicates a double bond or a saturated linkage between 0-1 and 0-2.

The acyl group is derived from hydrocarbon carboxylic acids containing less than 12 carbon atoms which may be saturated or unsaturated, of straight, branched, cyclic or cyclic-aliphatic chain, aromatic and may be substituted by functional groups such as hydroxy, alkoxy containing up to 5 carbon atoms, acyloxy, containing up to 12 carbon atoms, nit-r0, amino or halogen. Typical ester groups are the acetate, propionate, enanthate, benzoate, trimethylacetate, tbutylacetate, phenoxyacetate, cyclopentylpropionate, aminoacetate and fl-chloropropionate.

The novel compounds of the present invention may be States atent O 3,036,098 Patented May 22, 1962 ice 2 prepared by a process illustrated by the following equation:

CHzOH CHaOTOS =0 0:0 --0H V ---on HO I NWR' HO MB,

n j 0 O:

I II

(3H3 OH] 1 J "'OH "-011 t W R! HO R1v i I IV III CH3 CH3 =0 I 2 "*OR "-03 o1 NWR GI MR 1 1 U I 0= O- V: R=hydrogen VII VI:R=acyl v on,

Cl R

In the above formulas Tos represents the tosylate group and R, R" and R have the same meaning as previously set forth.

In practicing the process outlined above, a oar-monofluoromethyl or a fiot-polyfluoromethyl derivative of A pregnene-l1p,17u,21-triol-3,20-dione or of the 16-rnethyl derivatives thereof (I) disclosed in our copending application Serial No. 68,374 filed November 10, 1960, is reacted with p-toluenesulfonic acid chloride in pyridine solution for 16 hours at C. to form the Zl-tosylate (II) which upon refluxing with an alkali metal iodide such as sodium iodide and acetic acid for one hour, is, converted into the 2l-desoxy compound (III). The latter compound is then dehydrogenated at C-9, 11 by reaction with an organic sulfonyl chloride, preferably methanesulfonyl chloride in a solvent such as dimethylformamide and in the presence of a tertiary amine such. as pyridine at 9 0" C. for about two hours to, thus form the 9(11)-dehydro compounds (IV). By treating the latter compounds with a slight excess of a molar equivalent of chlorine in an inert solvent such as carbon tetrachloride at C. for a period of about 10 minutes, there are formed the 6amonofluoromethyl 90:,1 1 8 dichloro A pregnen 17aol-3,20-dione and 6a-polyfluoromethyl-9udIii-dichloro- A pregnen 17cc ol 3,20 dione (V:R=hydrogen) with or without the methyl group at 0-16. For preparation of the esters thereof (VI:R=acyl), the latter compounds are reacted with hydrocarbon carboxylic acid anhydrides of less than 12 carbon atoms in benzene solution in the presence of p toluen esulfonic acid.

For introduction of a double bond between 0-1 and 0-2 the 90:,1lfi-di0h101'0 compounds (V and VI) are re fiuxed with 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyanobenzoquinone in dioxane solution for 24 hours or with selenium dioxide in t-butanol solution and the presence of pyridine, to thus form 6a-monofiuoromethyl-9a,1lp-dichloro-a -pregnadien-17a-ol-3,20-dion'e or 6a-polyfluoromethyl-9a,1lp-dichloro-h pregnadien-l7a-ol-3,20 dione or the esters thereof (VII) with or without the methyl group at C-16.

For introduction of a double bond at 0-6,? the 60:- monofluoromethyl or 6a-polyfluoromethyl derivatives of 9a,llfi-dichloro-M-pregnen-l7a-ol-3,20-dioue (V and VI) or of 90:,1113 dichloro A pregnadien-lh-diol-SJO- dione (VII) or of the esters thereof or the C-16' methyl derivatives are refluxed with chloranil in a solvent such as t-butanol or a mixture of acetic acid-ethyl acetate for V 8 to 24 hours to form the 6-monofluoromethyl or 6-polyfluoroinethyl derivatives of 901,1lfl-dichloro-u -pregnadien-Ha-ol-LZO-d-ione (VIII), of 9o'z,1l-dichloro A -Pregna-trien-I7a-ol-3,20-dione (IX) or'of the esters thereof with or without the methyl substituent at C-16.

Example I V A solution of'S g'. of Ga-monoliuoromethyl-hydrocortisone in 30 cc. of a mixture of pyridine and chloroform (9:1) Was cooled to 0 C. .Under stirring there was added 1.3 g. of p-toluenesulfonyl chloride, the mixture was kept for 16 hours at 0 C., dilutedwith 100 cc. of chloroform, washed with diluted Y hydrochloric acid, water, aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution and, again with water, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and the solvent was evaporated'under reduced pressure. Thus there was obtained ;the crude 21-tosylate of Ger-monofluoromethyl-hydrocortisone.' V

A solution of the above crude compound in 200 cc.

iodide and the mixture was refluxed for 1 hour, poured into ice waterand extracted several times with methylene chloride; the extracts were combined, washed successively with aqueous sodium carbonate solution, sodium sulfitc solution and water and then evaporated. By crystallization of the residue from acetone-hexane there was obtained 6a-monotluoromethyl A 4 pregnene-llfiJh-diol- 3,20-dione.

A mixture of 6 g. of the latter compound, 110 cc. of

recently distilled dimethylformamide, 7.2 cc. of pyridine and 4.8 cc. of methanesulfonyl chloride was heated for 2 hours at 90 C. The cooled mixture was poured into aqueous saturated sodium bicarbonate solution and the product was extracted with methylene chloride; the extract was washed with water, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and the solvent was evaporated. V The residue was chromatographed on 180 g. of silica gel, eluting the product with methylene chloride-acetone (9: 1); recrystallization of the product from methylene chloride-methanol yielded 6a-monoiluoromethyl-A -pregnadien-lh-ol- 3,20-dione.

A solution of 2 g. of 6u-monofluoromethyl-a pregnadien-17-ol-3,20-dione, in 20 cc. of chloroform was treated under continuous stirring and in the course of 5 minutes with a solution of 420 mg. of chlorine (1.05 molar equivalents) in 15, cc. of carbon tetrachloride. The mixture was kept for 5 minutes at room tempera ture, then treated with 10 cc. of 5% aqueous sodium carbonate'solution and the product was extracted several times .with chloroform. The combined extract was washed with water to neutral, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and evaporated to dryness. The residue crys- 'tallized from acetone-hexane to yield oa-monofiuoromethyl-9a, l l 8-dichloro-A -pregnen- 1 7a-ol-3,20-dione.

Example II Example III A mixture of l .g. of 6a-monofluorornethyl47a-hydroxyprogesterone, 20 cc. of dioxane, 700 mg. of 2,3-dichloro-S,6-dicyano-l,4-benzoquinone was refluxed for 24 hours. It wa then cooled, the 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano- 1,4-benzohydroquinone formed during the reaction filtered OE and the filtrate evaporated to dryness. .The residue was dissolved in acetone and filtered through 10 g. of alumina. Crystallization from acetone-hexane gave 6a-monofluoromethyl-9a,1Iii-dichloro A pregnadien- 17a-ol-3,20-dione.

A solution of 500 mg; of the above compound in 25 cc. of benzene was treated with 1 cc; of propionic anhydride and 500' mg. of p-toluenesulfonic acid, the mixture kept at room temperature, for 40 hours, washed with sodiof glacial acetic acid was treated with 14 g. of sodium um carbonate solution and water to neutral, dried and evaporated to dryness. Chromatography of the residue gave 60; rnQnofluoromethyI-Qa, 1 lfi-dichloro A pregnadien-17u o1-3,20-dione propionate.v

Exampli IV By following the method of Example I, fia-difiuoromethyl-hydroc'ortisone and 6a trifluoromethyl hydrocortisone were converted into the corresponding 21- dione and 6a-trifluoromethy1-9a,1lfi-dichloi'o-M-pregnen- 17a-ol-3,20-dione.

Example V A mixture of 1.25 g. of 6oc-difluoromethyl-9u,llfl-dichloro-M-pregnen-17a-ol-3,20-dione, 2.5 g. of chloranil and 10 cc. of terbutanol was refluxed for 24 hours. The mixture was cooled, the excess of chloranil filtered and washed with ethyl acetate and the organic extracts washed with a cold aqueous solution of 10% sodium hydroxide until the washings were colorless. It was then dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and the ethyl acetate was evaporated. Recrystallization from methylene chloride ether, after decolorization with alumina gave 6-difluoromethyl-9a,llfi-dichloro A pregnadien 17a-ol- 3,20-dione.

Treatment of the above compound with acetic anhydride p-toluenesulfonic acid in benzene solution gave the corresponding acetate.

Example VI In accordance with the method of Example I, 2 g. of fia-difluoromethtyl-l6p-methyl-hydrocortisone was converted into its 21-tosylate, 6a-difluorornethyl-16B-methyl- M-pregnene-l1/8,17a-diol-3,20-dione, 6oz difluoromethyll6l3-methyl N pregnadien 17a o1 3,20 dione and 6a-difluoromethyl 16 3 methyl 904,115 dichloro- A -pregnen-17a-ol-3,2O-dione.

A mixture of 0.5 g. of the latter compound, 25 cc. of t-butanol, ).2 g. of selenium dioxide and 0.1 cc. of pyridine was refluxed under an atmosphere of nitrogen for 48 hours, filtered through celite and the filter was washed with a little hot t butanol. The combined filtrate and washings was evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure. The residue was refluxed for 1 hour with decolorizing charcoal in acetone, filtered from the charcoal and the filtrate was evaporated to dryness. Chromatography of the residue on washed alumina yielded 6ot-difluoromethyl-16,8-methyl- 9a,l 1B-dichloro-A -pregnadienl7a-ol-3,20-dione.

Upon treatment of the above compound with chloranil in t-butanol, in accordance with the method of Example IV, there was obtained 6-difiuoromethyl-16,8-methyl-9a, 1 1fi-dichloro-A -pregnatrien-17ot-ol-3,20-dione.

Example VII By following the method of Examples I and II, g. of 6a-trifluoromethyl-16a-methylhydrocortisone was converted into its 2l-tosylate, oa-trifluoromethyl-lGot-methyl- M-pregnene-l1e,17a-diol-3,20-dione, 6a-trifluoromethyl- 16a-methyl-A -pregnadien-17a-ol-3,20-dione, 6act1'ifluoromethyl 16oz methyl 901,115 dichloro A pregnen-17a-ol-3,20-dione and 6a-trifluoromethyl-16a-methyl- 90:,1lp-dichloro-A -pregnen-17a-ol-3,2O-dione acetate.

The above compound was refluxed for 24 hours with 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4 benzoquinone, in dioxane solution, in accordance with the method of Example III, thus giving 6a-trifluoromethyl-l6a-methyl-9a,1lfi-dichloro-A -pregnadien-17a-ol-3,2O-dione acetate.

Example VIII By following the esterification method of Example III, 1 g. of 6a-trifluoromethyl-9u,llfi-dichloro-A -pregnen-17aol-3,20-dione was converted into the corresponding propionate.

A mixture of 1 g. of the above compound, 2 g. of chloranil, 20 cc. of ethyl acetate and 5 cc. of acetic acid was refluxed under an atmosphere of nitrogen for 8 hours. The mixture was cooled, washed with a cold aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide until the washings were colorless. The organic solution was dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and the ethyl acetate was evaporated. By chromatography of the residue on neutral alumina there was obtained 6-trifluoromethyl-9a,11fi-dichloro-A -pregnadien-17a-ol-3,20-dione propionate.

Upon treatment of the latter compound with selenium dioxide in terbutanol, in accordance with the method of Example VI, there was produced 6-trifluoromethyl-9a,11fldic'hloro-A -pregnatrien-17a-ol-3,20-dione propionate.

Example IX By following the method of Example II, but using cyclopentylpropionic anhydride instead of acetic anhydride, 6amonofluoromethyl 911,115 dichloro A pregnen 17aol-3,20-dione, 6-difluoromethyl-9u,1lp-dichloro-A -pregnadien-17ao1-3,20-'dione, Ga-difluoromethyl-l6 8-methyl- 9a,11B-dichloro A -pregnadien-17a-o1-3,20-dione and 6atrifluoromethyl 16a-methyl 9a,11fl dichloro A pregnen-17a-ol-3,20-dione were converted into the corresponding cyclopentylpropionates.

Example X Example XI A solution of 1 g. of 6a-difluoromethyl-16a-methy1-9a, 11l3-dichloro-A -pregnen-17a-ol-3,20-dione, obtained in the previous example, 1 g. of p-toluenesulfonic acid, 50 cc. of acetic acid and 10 cc. of acetic anhydride was kept at room temperature for one hour; it was then poured into water and stirred until the excess of anhydride was hydrolyzed. The product was extracted with ethylacetate and the organic extract was washed to neutral, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and evaporated to dryness. Chroma-tography of the residue on neutral alumina gave the pure 6adifluoromethyl 16a methyl :,115 dichloro A pregnen-17a-ol-3,20-dione acetate.

Example XII By following the method of Example I, 6a-monofluoromethyl-16a-methyl-hydrocortisone was converted into its 21 tosylate, 6a-monofluoromethyl-16a-methyl-A -pregnene-l 118,17a-di0l-3 ,ZO-dione, 6a-monofluoromethy-1-16amethyl -pregnadien-17a-ol-3,20-dione and 6amonofluoromethyl 16a methyl 9a,11[3 dichloro A pregnen-17a-o1-3,20-dione.

Dehydrogenation of the compound with selenium dioxide in t-butanol, in accordance with the method of Example VI, gave 6a-monofluoromethyl-16a-methyl-9a, l1fi-dichloro-A -pregnadien-17a-ol-3,2'Q dio-nc.

500 mg. of the latter compound were acetyl-ated in accordance with the method of the preceding example, and the resulting acetate treated with chloranil in tbutanol, thus producing fi-monofluoromethyl-16u-methyl 9a,11a dichloro A pregnatrien 17a o1 3,20- dione acetate.

Example XIII In accordance with the method of Example XI, 6- difluoromethyl 16B methyl 904,113 dichloro A pregnatrien 17a o1 3,20 dione, 6 difluoromethyl- 16a. methyl 9a,11/3 dichloro A pregnadien- 17a-o1- 3,20-dione and 6-difluoromethyl-16a-methyl- 90:,115 dichloro A pregnatrien 17a o1 3,20- dione were converted into the corresponding acetates.

We claim: 7 7 1; A compound of the following formula:

wherein R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and a hydrocarbon carboxylic acyl group of less than 1-2 carbon atoms; R' is selected from the group consistingof hydrogen, u-rnethyl and B-methyl; and R is selected from the group consisting of a monofluoromethyl, a difluoromethyl and a tn'fiuoromethyl groupJ 2. 6oz monofluoromethy1 911,116 dichloro A pregnen-lh-ol-lZO-dione acetate.

3. 661 monofluoromethyl 90:,115 dichloro A pregnen-l7a-ol-3,20-dione cyclopentylpropiona-te.

4. 6a difluoromethyl 16a. methyl 901,115 diwhere R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and a hydrocarbon carboxylic acyl group of less than 12 carbon atoms; R? is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, a-methyl, and fi-rnethyl; and R is selected from the group consisting of a monofluoromethyl, a difluoromethyl and a trifluoromethyl group.

pregnadien-l7a-ol-3,20-dione propion-ate. :10. 60'. monofluoromethyl 16a methyl 9a,l1/8- dichloro-A -pregnadien-17a-ol-3,20-dione acetate.

11. 6d -difluoromethyl 165 methyl 911,115 dichloro A pregnadien 17o: ol 3,20 dione cyclopentylpropionate. 7 V

12. 6a; trifluoromethyl 16oz methyl 9:,115 dichloro A pregnadi en 171: a 01 3,20 dione acetate.

13. A compound of the following formula:

wherein R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and a hydrocarbon carboxylic acyl group of less than 12. carbon atoms; R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, u-methyl and fl-methyl and R is selected from the group consisting of a monofluoromethyl, a difluoromethyl and a trifluoromethyl group.

14. 6 difluoromethyl 9a 1113 dichloro A pregnadien-l7ot-ol-3,20-dione acetate.

15. 6 difiuoromethyl :,11/3 dichloro A preg nadien-17a-ol-3,20-dione cyclopentylpropionate.

16. 6 difluoromethyl 16oz methyl 911,115-- dichloro A pregnadien 17a ol 3,20 dione acetate.

17. 6 tn'fluoromethyl 9u,11B dichloro A pregnadien17a-0l-3,20-dione propionate.

18. A compound of the following formula:

chloro-A -pregnatrien-17a-ol-3,20-dione acetate.

21. 6 difiuoromethyl 16,8 methyl 90:,115 dichloro-n -pregnatrien-17a-ol-3,20-dione acetate.

22. 6 'trifiuoromethyl 9u,11}8 dichloro A pregnatrien-17a-ol-3,20-dione propionate.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,894,963 Gould et al; July 15, 1959 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION atent No. 3,036,098 May 22, 1962 Albert Bowers et' a1.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the eeLid Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 2, lines 3 to 64, the formulas should appear as hown below instead of as in the patent:

CH OH T 2 1 6:0

OH HO CH3 CH3 C C 7 C -O III 2 V: R=hydrogen '2 VI: R=acy1 R VII R2 v1 1 1 1x Signed and sealed this 4th day of September 1962.

CA L) Lest:

DAVID L. LADD \IEST W. SWIDER Commissioner of Patents testing Officer 

1. A COMPOUND OF THE FOLLOWING FORMULA: 